Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1887-01-03
A GENTLEMAN.

The horse-car stopped at crossing,
and news-boy jumped on the plat
form.
''Have Times, Inquirer, PreSS"
'Tll take a Times" said one of a
group of schoolgirls.
20 jenny said another. From
such little monster.
An old gentleman who was reading
glanced up from his pamphlet The
newsboy was a dwarf, and hunch-
back. His face, which was bent back
on his shoulders, twitched suddenly at
the girls words, but he did not look to-
ward her, as he stood waiting for his
money. The old gentleman's grave
look of rebuke angered the girl.
at makes me sickr' she said, with a
look of disgust ''The conductor ought
not to allow him to come on board"
The boy turned and looked at her
steadily. Everybody on the car ex-
pected torrent of vile abuse, but he
said, gently:
IF the Beast was not here, the peo-
pie on the car would not appreciate the
Beauty at her real value" and then
bowling to her, he went out. amid the
smiles of all the passengers.
The old gentleman-who was a we'll
known physician, DIR. Ayery-followed
him. but he was already out Of sight.
'.Who is that boy?" he asked the con-
ductor.
'.His names Willy, and his route is
on this street. | don't know anything
more"
"He has an educated voice, and he
showed good breeding and sense just
now"
mo doubt The other newsboys call
him Gentleman BILL Everybody likes
him. We conductors give him the free
dom of the cars on this street"
A few days afterwards. DR., Avery was
on car late In the evening, when Will
ly came in. carrying large bundle of
papers. He sold none, and turned to
go out, looking discouraged and anx-
ious.
DR.. Avery stopped him, drew out a
paper. and handing him piece of
silver. said, Never mind the change"
mo, thank you" said the boy, smil-
ing, as he gave it TO him.
"Why not, young independence"
81 don't need aims. sir. | really get
on very well. Aud if did"
''You would not take it?''
sit would be the hardest thing | ever
had to do. Good-eycning, sir?" and
touching his cap, the little hunchback
swung himself off the car.
DIR. Avery after that often met the
boy, who puzzled and interested him.
There was nothing morbid in him; he
was always ready with laugh or merry
answer His voice was controlled and
gentle, and there was fine courtesy, a
tact, delicate feeling, in all his words,
that we do not find sometimes in those
who call themselves gentlemen. In
spite of the boys wretched clothes and
patched shoes, DR.. Avery found him.
self talking to him as to an equal, and
always thought of him as his little
friend.
Late one night, when it was storm
ing heavily, he met him, trudging down
Chestnut street.
you have hard life. my boy" he
said. kindly.
mot so hard as you think. SIR" ne
said. cheerfully. Il am never sick an
hour. Then do a better business than
other boys because of-this," glancing
down on his deformed body.
ssOh"
The doctor was confused for a min
ute.
Have you any plans. Willy? Do
you ever look forward?"
YES. Oh. 1 have it all planned out!
Ii could save enough to start street
stall Of books and papers. then after a
year or two would be able to open a
shop, and then big store. Some
men who began that way in Philadel-
phia have become publishers. and live
in beautiful houses of their own"
'Hillo! Do you care for fine housese''
'Not for myself. sir"
He became suddenly silent. and a;
the corner Of the next street said Good
nightr' and ran away.
A moment later DIR. Avery heard cries
and shouts in the direction which Willy
had taken; but such things are COM
mon in o great city. He hurried home
The next morning. looking over the
paper, he read:
"A litile hunchback newsboy. known as